Ergonomic handles and grips for beverage containers

ABSTRACT

The present invention is an ergonomic handle for a beverage container in which the handle is covered by a malleable portion. In one embodiment the malleable portion is comprised of a pliable outer cover with a malleable inner core. In an alternate embodiment, the malleable portion is comprised of a single material, which serves as both the pliable outer cover and the malleable inner core. In a further embodiment, the present invention is an ergonomic grip for a tumbler, wherein the grip is comprised of a malleable material as previously described.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to beverage containers, especially travel mugs and tumblers. More particularly, the invention relates to ergonomic handles and grips for travel mugs, tumblers and other types of beverage containers. This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/285,948, filed on Apr. 24, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Beverage containers, travel mugs and tumblers are well known. A typical travel mug or tumbler is comprised of inner and outer shell members with an empty plenum or insulating material between the two shell members. Travel mugs usually include a handle that extends outward from the side of the mug. Tumblers typically include a grip applied directly to the outside of the tumbler. The handles and grips are typically fabricated from ceramics, porcelain, glass, plastics, stoneware, steel or any other material used to fabricate the travel mug or tumbler.

[0003] While conventional handles and grips provide users with effective ways to hold beverage containers, the handles and grips are not particularly comfortable. If a person holds a travel mug by a conventional handle for a prolonged period of time, the person's hand is likely to become fatigued. Over an extended period of time the person may even experience discomfort.

[0004] Therefore, in light of the foregoing deficiencies in the prior art, the applicant's invention is herein presented.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a new and improved handle and grip for travel mugs and tumblers. More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved ergonomic handle and grip for travel mugs and tumblers.

[0006] The present invention provides an improved soft-feel handle or grip for travel mugs or tumblers. The invention comprises known handles and grips having malleable portions comprised of pliable outer covers with malleable inner cores of soft rubber gel, silicone gel, and sponge rubber. The outer cover may be made of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, cloth, latex, nylon, polyester, cotton, or any other pliable material. The malleable inner core can be elastic causing the malleable portion of the handle or grip to immediately return to its original shape when the user releases the beverage container from his or her hand.

[0007] In an alternate embodiment, the malleable inner core can be inelastic or have a low-elasticity such that the malleable portion of the handle or grip does not immediately return to its original shape. In a further alternate embodiment, known handles and grips are comprised of a single layer of malleable material that is directly gripped by the users.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention is a travel mug or other similar liquid holding vessel comprising a handle, wherein said handle extends outward from said beverage container, and a malleable portion covering at least part of the gripping portion of said handle, wherein said malleable portion comprises a pliable outer cover and a malleable inner core. The present invention is also a tumbler, or other similar liquid holding vessel comprising a malleable material covering at least part of the outside of said tumbler, wherein said malleable material comprises a pliable outer cover and a malleable inner core.

[0009] These along with other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from a reading of the detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a travel mug having a handle, wherein the handle is shown in partial cross-section; and

[0011]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a tumbler having a grip, wherein the tumbler and the grip are shown in partial cross-section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the ergonomic handle and grip of the present invention are shown in relation to travel mugs and tumblers. FIG. 1 illustrates a travel mug having an ergonomic handle in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates a tumbler having an ergonomic grip in accordance with the present invention.

[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, the soft-feel handle 10 of the present invention is shown. Travel mug 12 includes handle 14, which extends outward from the top of the travel mug 12 and downward. As with traditional beverage containers or other similar vessels that holds liquid, the handle 14 can extend outward and downward from the travel mug 12 and reattach to the side of the travel mug 12 (not shown). In either case, the handle 14 includes a malleable portion 16, which can cover all or just the gripping portion of the handle 14.

[0014] Shown in cross-section, the malleable portion 20 covers the handle 18. The typical handle 18 will be made from a hard material such as ceramics, porcelain, glass, plastics, stoneware, steel, metal, etc. The hard material provides the handle 18 with the structural integrity necessary to support the travel mug 12, or similar types of liquid holding vessels. While structural integrity is essential to the safe and proper usage of the travel mug 12, it does not provide the user with a particularly comfortable gripping surface. The present invention solves this problem by providing the hard surface of the handle 18 with a soft-feel provided by the malleable portion 20.

[0015] In one contemplated embodiment, the malleable portion 16 (and 20 in cross-section) is comprised of a pliable outer cover 40 with a malleable inner core 42. The pliable outer cover 40 can be made of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, cloth, latex, nylon, polyester, cotton, or any other pliable material. The malleable inner core 42 can made of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, soft rubber gel, silicone gel, and sponge rubber. The malleable inner core 42 can be elastic such that the malleable portion 16 of the handle 14 immediately returns to its original shape when the user releases the travel mug 12. In an alternate embodiment, the malleable inner core 42 can be inelastic or have a low-elasticity such that the malleable portion 16 of the handle 14 does not immediately return to its original shape. The elasticity of the malleable portion 16 of the handle 14 can be controlled by using different materials for the pliable outer cover 40 or the malleable inner core 42, or both. In a further alternate embodiment, the malleable portion 16 of the handle 14 is comprised of a single material, which serves as both the pliable outer cover 40 and the malleable inner core 42.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 2, the soft-feel grip of the present invention is shown. Tumbler 22 includes grip 24, which wraps around or covers all or a portion of the outside of the outer shell member 32. The grip 24 is comprised of a malleable material 26 identical to those described above in relation to FIG. 1. The malleable material 26 is also shown in cross-section at 28. Although not shown in FIG. 1, both the travel mug 12 and the tumbler 22, or other similar types of liquid holding vessels typically include an inner shell member 34 and an outer shell member 32, although this is not required by the present invention. The container 30 is formed within inner shell member 34 for storing beverages.

[0017] As described above, the malleable material 26 (and 28 in cross-section) is comprised of a pliable outer cover 46 with a malleable inner core 44. The pliable outer cover 46 can be made of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, cloth, latex, nylon, polyester, cotton, or any other pliable material. The malleable inner core 44 can made of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, soft rubber gel, silicone gel, and sponge rubber. The malleable inner core 44 can be elastic such that the malleable material 26 immediately returns to its original shape when the user releases the tumbler 22. In an alternate embodiment, the malleable inner core 44 can be inelastic or have a low-elasticity such that the malleable material 26 does not immediately return to its original shape. The elasticity of the malleable material 26 can be controlled by using different materials for the pliable outer cover 46 or the malleable inner core 44, or both. In a further alternate embodiment, the malleable material 26 is comprised of a single material, which serves as both the pliable outer cover 46 and the malleable inner core 44.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the inner core 42 and outer cover 40 can be configured to be slideably coupled to and/or removed from an existing handle of a beverage container or from the body of the beverage container itself. Furthermore, these embodiments can be configured using only the inner core 42 if fabricated appropriately.

[0019] Although the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications can be made and alternatives utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A container comprising: a vessel; and a gripping surface connected to said vessel, wherein said gripping surface comprises, an inner core and an outer cover, wherein said inner core is disposed within said outer cover.
 2. A container as recited in claim 1, wherein said inner core is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of soft rubber gel, silicone gel, and sponge rubber.
 3. A container as recited in claim 1, wherein said outer cover is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of cloth, latex, nylon, polyester, and cotton.
 4. A container as recited in claim 1, wherein said inner core is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of elastic material, inelastic material, and material having a low elasticity.
 5. A container as recited in claim 1, further comprising a handle wherein said gripping surface covers a portion of said handle.
 6. A container as recited in claim 5, wherein said gripping surface is removable from said handle.
 7. A container as recited in claim 1, wherein said gripping surface covers a portion of said vessel.
 8. A container as recited in claim 7, wherein said gripping surface is removable from said vessel.
 9. A container comprising: a vessel; and a gripping surface connected to said container, wherein said gripping surface is malleable.
 10. A container as recited in claim 9, wherein said gripping surface is comprised of a single material.
 11. A container as recited in claim 9, further comprising a handle wherein said gripping surface covers a portion of said handle.
 12. A container as recited in claim 11, wherein said gripping surface is removable from said handle.
 13. A container as recited in claim 9, wherein said gripping surface covers a portion of said vessel.
 14. A container as recited in claim 13, wherein said gripping surface is removable from said vessel.
 15. A container as recited in claim 9, wherein said gripping surface is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of soft rubber gel, silicon gel, and sponge rubber.
 16. A container as recited in claim 9, wherein said inner core is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of elastic material, inelastic material, and material having a low elasticity.
 17. A container comprising; means for holding liquid; and means for gripping said container, wherein said gripping means is coupled to said holding means.
 18. A container as recited in claim 17, wherein said gripping means if formed from a material selected from the group consisting of soft rubber gel, silicon gel, and sponge rubber.
 19. A container as recited in claim 17, wherein said gripping means is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of elastic material, inelastic material, and material having a low elasticity. 